Born: He was born in Assington, England in 1632 and was hanged on August 19th 1692.
Early Life
Proctor originally settled in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He married a women by the name of Martha Giddens in Ipswich where he had 4 children. Martha died on June 13th of 1659. In 1666 he moved to Salem, where he worked on a farm which he later bought. He then married a woman named Elizabeth Thorndike and they had 3 children.
Witch Trials
When Elizabeth was accused of being a witch John stood by her side the entire time. Throughout the proceedings Proctor defended her innocence and denounced the whole idea of witchcraft. It was during her questioning that he too was named a witch. He became the first male to be accused of being a witch. This led up to his entire family being accused of using witchcraft including the children.
Mary Warren, who was their 20 year old maid servant accused Proctor himself of practicing witchcraft and later she was accused.
The two afflicted girls in Salem began to point fingers at Proctor claiming they had witnessed his ghost/apparition.
While in Prison on July 23rd Proctor wrote a letter to the clergy of Boston who was known to be uneasy at the thought of witchcraft proceedings asking them to intervene to have the Trials moved to Boston or have different judges for the Trials.
Also while John was in prison Elizabeth gave birth to another son, which was John Proctor III.
Many people of the Boston clergy found that most of the judges during the Salem Witch Trials were guilty of using torture methods to obtain a confession.
It was too late at this point for Proctor, he was tried on August 5th and hanged on August 19th 1692.
He pleaded that he was not at peace with God and in 17th Century society, people looked down upon killing a human being if they were not on correct terms with their God. But, the judges had become tired of Proctor.
After Death
In 1711 Proctor's family was given 150 pounds for their false accusations of them and the execution of John Proctor.
During his life before his hanging Proctor said,
"If they were all let alone so we should all be devils and witches." - John Proctor
The Real John Proctor
by: Scott Martin, Mike Blazina, and Kevin BryanBorn: He was born in Assington, England in 1632 and was hanged on August 19th 1692.
Early Life
Proctor originally settled in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He married a women by the name of Martha Giddens in Ipswich where he had 4 children. Martha died on June 13th of 1659. In 1666 he moved to Salem, where he worked on a farm which he later bought. He then married a woman named Elizabeth Thorndike and they had 3 children.
Witch Trials
When Elizabeth was accused of being a witch John stood by her side the entire time. Throughout the proceedings Proctor defended her innocence and denounced the whole idea of witchcraft. It was during her questioning that he too was named a witch. He became the first male to be accused of being a witch. This led up to his entire family being accused of using witchcraft including the children.
After Death
"If they were all let alone so we should all be devils and witches." - John Proctor
Web pages and Extra Information
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_BPRO.HTM
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/salemwitchtrials/people/proctor.html
A video of the Salem Witch Trials and John Proctor with montage scenes from the play "The Crucible"...